Excessive tearing in cold weather is a common experience. This occurs because cold, dry air evaporates the tear film protecting the eyes, triggering increased tear production to compensate. This reflex, while intended to maintain lubrication, often leads to overflow and watery eyes.
Protecting eyes from cold-weather tearing improves comfort and visibility, which can be crucial for activities like driving or winter sports. While tearing itself isn’t typically harmful, excessive tearing can be distracting and even lead to chapped skin around the eyes. Historically, people have utilized various methods from simple physical barriers to specialized eyewear for protection against the elements, highlighting the longstanding recognition of this issue.